Web feeding means for adjustable rotary imprinters



arch 9, 1954 D. L. GORBATENKO WEB FEEDING MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLE ROTARY IMPRINTERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 7, 1950 wk kw VV//////%//////// ///////%/////V/// INVENTOR.

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WEB FEEDING MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLE ROTARY IMPRINTERS Filed Jan. 7, 1950 2 SheetsSheet 2 XX S06 XXSOA 5 ABC ammur Asc com any 38 I f 2 o 92'; g 59 I ea M INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 'monly printed on such Labels.

Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES TENT QEEFI CE WEB FEEDING MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLE ROTARY IMPRINTERS 6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in web feeding means for adjustable rotary imprinter-s. Reference is :made .to my oe-pending application Serial No. 214,879, filed March 10, 1951.

At the present time, it is standard practice to print labels and the like on a Web ofpaper stock in large quantities :at .a'single run of the press for the reason that setting up such a press is time-consuming and the labor cost makes it uneconomical to print asmall quantity at onetime.

On the other hand, between the time that a stock of labels is printed and the stock is exhausted it maybe necessary for the seller of the product to which the label is applied to change prices and vary ingredients or in other ways vary the substance ;of certain symbols com- Thus it is desirable to print up largeequantities-oflabelsat one :time and leave blank spaces for such items as price, ingredients, and other symbols which may be subject tovariation before the stock of labels is exhausted. The present invention "has for its purpose the imprinting of the desired symbols 'in'theablank space provided or the overprinting of new symbols in placeof :material already printed on the label. 'The present invention is for use onyweb stool; and is of a rotary type. The term label as employed herein is intendedto include other similar printed units of relatively short length.

'One of the principal featuresand advantages .of the invention is its adjustability. It will be understood that labels ofvarious dimensions may beprinted on paper Webs. The present invention concerns an imprinter having a web-pulling mechanism accurately adjustable so that thedistance which the Webis advanced for eachrevolution of the drive shaft of the machine may be equalized with the exact lengthbf the label.

Another feature of adjustability of the imprinter is that the position of the imprinted matter may be shiftedlongitudinally of the web, the machine being capable 'of such adjustment .even while in operation.

Still another adjustment is a novel means for adjusting the distance between rolls through which the web is "fed in order to accommodate varying thicknesses of paper and the like.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention relate to the adjustability of thecut-ofi mechanism and the interchangeability of such mechanism with a web rewind mechanism.

With the above and other objects and advantages in View, the invention consists in the matters hereinafterset iorth and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference 2 being had. therein to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal verticalsection through the imprinter.

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section through the web pull mechanism .taken substantially along-the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4.is asection taken along the line 4-'4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view .of an adjustable bearing block. for. an impression cylinden'together with associated mechanism.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of adjustable sectors for the Web pull mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a schematic View of .a .pair 'ofglahels, one being shown before and the other afterimprinting.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the cut-off mechanism.

It will be understood that the imprinterwhich is the subject of the present inventionxis 'used to imprint .labels 9, which have been previously printed on a web l0 Jof paper stock 'woundzin a roll ll, each label being in very close proximity to the adjacent label. It is further understood that each label in Web ID will ordinarily be of exactly the same length as every other '.'label "in the web .and that the space between labels will not vary, but that occasionallyithe dimensions of the labels will vary gradually as the result of certain factors hereinafter discussed and ithat there may be a gap in the spacingbetweenlabels by reason of the press on which 'the'labels "were originally printed having been shut down for adjustment-or for other reasons. .Anothervariable factor entering into the .design of the imprinter is that labels of various 'lengthsm'ay be imprinted and the feed of the web .throug'hithe imprinter is adjustable for different lengths of labels.

The imprinter which is the "subject of it'h'e invention consists of several parts integrated .in operation and each separately described herein, these parts being:

. Web guide mechanism Inking mechanism Printing mechanism Web pull mechanism Cut-off mechanism Web rewind mechanism Web guide mechanism The web guide mechanism is of standard construction and functions to guide the web Idfrom roll it to the printing mechanism. Labels 9a have been printed on the web in a press in an operation prior to the imprinting accomplished by the present invention. Web I9 is wound on roll about a spindle i2. Said spindle I2 is journaled in brackets l3 carried by main frame l4 of the imprinter so that new rolls may be installed as required and empty spindles removed after all of the web has been imprinted. The web first passes through tension rolls l6 and I1, roll |6 preferably having a rubber peripheral surface and th other roll I! having a steel periphery. Tension rolls |6 and l! are not power driven and their function is to keep that portion of the web extending interiorly of the machine under tension. Guide roll I8 is provided with rings I9 which engage the edges of the web and center the web with respect to the machine, it being understood that rings l9 are adjustable for webs of different widths. The web also passes under second guide roll 2| and thence up and around the top of impression cylinder 22, which is part of the printing mechanism and is hereinafter described in greater detail.

Inlcing mechanism The inking mechanism is likewise conventional in structure. It will be understood that said mechanism is only one of several types that might be employed. Ink is deposited in well or fountain 23 and applied to fountain roll 24, the

thickness and evenness of deposit of ink being controlled by adjustable blade 26. The ink is then transferred, as well understood in the art, to vibrating doctor roll 21, then to distributing roll 28, and thence to form roll 29.

Printing mechanism Immediately above the impression cylinder 22 is plate cylinder 3|, the web l9 passing between these two cylinders. One of the important fea'- tures of the construction of the plate cylinder 3| is the fact that the rubber type plate 32, attached thereto by adhesive material and hence removable therefrom, and the words, figures or other symbols of said type plate may be varied as desired. Ink is transferred to plate 32 from roll 29 by contact. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, type plate 32 does not extend completely around the circumference of plate cylinder 3| but only one-quarter therearound. It is desirable that the circumferential length of plate 32 be equal to the length of the individual labels 9 or other units previously printed on web I0. Cylinder 3| is power driven, as hereinafter described, and rotates continuously at uniform speed. During each revolution of plate cylinder 3|, the plate 32 contacts web I!) a it is drawn over impression cylinder 22 and thereby imprints the desired symbols 90 such as price, ingredients, etc., on the label in the exact location desired. Fig. I shows a label 9a before, and a label 9b after, imprinting. When labels of different lengths ar to be imprinted, the circumferential length of plate 32 is varied accordingly; The upper limit of the length of plate 32 is the circumference of cylinder 3 I, but it will be understood that plates of considerably shorter length may be used without interchanging cylinder 3| for a cylinder of different diameter. Th radius from the central axis of cylinder 3| to the periphery of plate 32 is greater than the radius from said axis to the periphery of cylinder 3|. Hence when that portion of cylinder 3| which is not covered by plate 32 is over impression cylinder 32, there is no contact with web l0, said web being or both ends.

kept tight against the surface of cylinder 22 by tension rolls |6--|'| and tension roll 33 of the Web Feed Mechanism.

It is desirable to feed web H] a distance equal to the length of label 9 while plate 32 is passing over impression cylinder 22, and then to hold the web stationary while the portion of the plate cylinder 3| which is not covered by plat 32 is passing over the impression cylinder 22. In this way, any label having a length less than the circumference of cylinder 3| may be imprinted and labels 9 may be consecutively arranged on web l0 without any gap between consecutive labels. Web I0 is fed a distanc equal to the length of one label 9 for each revolution of plate cylinder 3|, and remains stationary when plate 32 is not in contact with the web. The feeding of the web the required distance is one of the important features of the invention and is hereinafter described.

The shafts of each of rolls l6, l1, |B, 2|, 22, 24, 21, 28, 29 and 3| is journaled in stationary vertical side plates 34 fixed to the main bed I4 of the machine. Cylinder 22 is vertically adjustable with respect to cylinder 3| to accommodate webs of various thicknesses, to compensate for variations in thickness of plates 32, in order to back off cylinder 3| from contact with plate 32 when the machine is being turned over with no web installed, and for other resons. Th adjustability of cylinder 22 is accomplished by journaling each end of shaft 36 of said roll in a hear ing block 31. Bearing blocks 31 are located at each side of the machine and are vertically slidable in ways in side plates 34. Springs 38 between the tops of blocks 31 and the stationary side plates 34 bias the blocks downwardly. Cams 39 located bearing against the lower ends of blocks 3'! thus raise the blocks 31 in their ways and with the blocks cylinder 22, against the pressure of springs 38. Cams 39 are eccentric and are mounted on rotatable shafts 4| journaled in side plates 34 and carrying knobs 42 at either Manipulation of knob 42 causes rotation of shaft 4| and this rotates cheeks 43 which bear against the lower edges of blocks 31. The feature of this type cam is the fact that the point of bearing of cheek 43 is immediately above the center of shaft 2| and hence there is no tendency of the cam to back up. No detent or lock is required to hold cam 39 in proper position of adjustment once it is set.

The shaft of rolls 24, 28 and 3| are all power driven off main drive shaft 44. All of said shafts are at the same elevation and each bears skew bevel gears 46 meshing With a corresponding skew bevel gear 41 keyed to drive shaft 44.

Web pull mechanism The web feeding mechanism is designed to feed the web II) a distance equal to the length of a label 9 or the exact desired length between two identical symbols to be printed on the web and to so feed the web only when the plate 32 is passing over the impression cylinder 22 and not to feed the web during the remainder of each revolution of cylinder 3|. Therefore the web I0 passes over pressure roll 5| and is held in contact therewith by spring-biased tension rolls 33 which permit feeding of the web only when pressure roll 5| is rotating. Said pressure roll 5| preferably is provided with a rubber surface. Immediately above pressure roll 5| is a pull shaft 52 bearing adjustable sectors 53 and 54, which are knurled, milled or otherwise roughened along their 8 01 3 su fac s 55 so that when said arou- =to shaft 52 being adjustable. other means may be used to lock said sector 54 men-gee? hence continuously rotatesin synchronism with the shaft of cylinder 3 I.

There are at lea-st two sectors- 53-54,the angular position of'at-least one of which withrespect Set screw 56 or for rotation with shaft-52, andsector53 is fi-xed by'pin "56a so that the leading-edge of sector 53 with respect to the leading edge of plate 32*is deflned and the feeding-of'the web 1 tlcommences at the-precise time that "plate 32 comes in contactwitha label 9. Said sector 54 is made angularly adjustable so that the total circumferential length of arcuate surfaces '55 may be made exactly'equal-to the length oflabel'e. *For labels of greater or lesser length, sector 5 3 may be angularly adjusted. The radius from thecenter -of shaft52 to the periphery 55 of sectorsiiih-Bd is equalto-the radius from'the center of the shaftof cylinder 3i to the periphery of plate 32 and the diameters'of pressure roll 5| and impression cylinder 22 are equal.

Since web l isonly advanced when pressure roll is rotated, and since pressure roll 5| is only rotated when sectors 53-454 are in :contact "therewith, web feed may be accurately ad justed by angular adjustment of sector 54 to feed the web the length of one label, which will ordinarilyalso be-the length of plate 32. Pressure roll 5! is-made vertically adjustable by cam "51 which is identical in structure with cam '35,

said cam 5.? "bearing "against the lower surface of vertically slidable bearing blocks 158 mounted in carriage 59. Saidcam '5? is turned about its shaft :Bl by knob 62 causing cheek -63 to :raise or lower blocks fifi in which roll .51 11s journaled, springs .66 biasing blocks 58 downwardly and forcingthem against cheeks 83. :CamlFfl remains fixed in position without the necesity of locking means in the same :manner as camBEi. .This'feature f adjustability permits proper operation regardless of wear of roll 51. It'also permits roll "5! to be backed down out of contact-'with'sectors 53--.54.and hence permits the imprinter to turn over without pulling the web when this operation is desired, as whenother portions of theinachine are being adjusted.

Carriage'fifi, 'in which r0115 tension-rollers .33 and shaft 52 are journaledyis horizontally :slidable .in ways in side plates and top frame member "64. Nut'fifitis fixed to carriage as and said nut engages longitudinally disposed, hori- ;zontal threaded shaft 67.

of a label -9, said distance being measured longitudinallyalong the web. Table $2 on whiehweb it :rests may be'used to prevent sagging of the web, or the web may be otherwise supported either to prevent =-or accurately control the amount of sagging. Carriage 5!) is thus made and top frame member ii-i in the same manner adjustable so that at symbol 9cr wi11 be imprinted .in the .-exact spot .of the web desired, .and vhence =the.relativeipositionof the symbol impressed on the web ,may be adjusted by .moving carriage 59.

Under ideal conditions, each label 9 will be of the same .length and ..all will be equally spaced. However, .if the .press on which the labels were originally printed was stopped for any reason or if there is an accumulation of extremely small differences between the feed of web It] and the lengthslof labels J5, then .it may benecessary from time to time to movercarriageiil to .bring symbol 90 imprinted on the label .into registry with the exactspot desired.

Skew-bevel gear 13, which meshes with .gear M -onishaft .52,.is keyed .to alongikeyway 15 in main drive shaft-44 and .bevel gear 13 is so mounted abutting bracket 1-! extending from .carriage '59 that it moveslongjitudinally .of shaft M as .carriage 59 vmoves and thus shaft 52 is :power driven at all times. .Movement .ofnarriage 59 may be made :even while .themachine-is in operation.

Cut-017 mechanism The imprinter illustrated in the accompanying drawings shows "both a out-off mechanism and a rewind :mechanism, "which may "be used alternato cut labels 5 tosize exactly-onthe'line dividing adjacent labels, after the web It) has passed through the pull mechanism. The cut-off mechariism employs an oscillatable knife -8| which shears o'fithe web ill-against stationary cutting edge 82. "Holddownts biasedby spring-84 holds the web stationary while it is being severed. KriifeBl is'driven by cam85 on main driveshaft as and "it is pivoted midway between its ends so that when the high portion of cam 35 contacts the adjacent 'part of knife 8! the knife operates to shear the -web. It'is "necessary in this type 'cut-toffmechanism that the cutting operation be performedwhileweb I0 is stationary, or, in other words, while sectors 53- 54 are not in engagement with roll 5!. Cam 85 is timed to out the web'whenthe latter iststationary.

In'order that knife 8! out exactly at the divid- 111 line :between adjacent labels, the cut-off 'nrechanism incorporated in horizontally slidable carriage-3S sliding in ways in side plates 34 as carriage '55 for thewebpull mechanism. is slidable. "Carriagesii'e and-"86 are adjustably linked together so that the distance therebetween may be varied to cut of the labeis along the desired line. "The distancameasured longitudinallyalong web it, between the line pr contact between roll "5'! andse'ctors 535' l and knife 8! will ordinarily be a multiple of the length of "a label 9, and the operator will so adjust the position of knife 8! with respect to carriage '59. II-Iencelinks 8'! connecting carriages 5'9 and (88 are provided with a slot 183. "Boltt'irwhich is threaded into carriage slidable within said slot "88 'until tightened. After proper adjustment has been made, bolt 89 :tightenedand the two carriages 3% and 59 are loci-zed togetherforunitary movement along their .respectivexways when the operator -turns handwheel "'4 l. Hencewhen, from time to time, car- 'riagefit must be moved, knife carriage "8.5 moves :todiea'djustathe same if :the web pull mechanism Rewind mechanism It is sometimes necessary to rewind web II] on a new roll 9| after it has been imprinted instead of cutting off individual labels. In such event, the cut-off mechanism is held inoperative. Web In is directed over guide roll 92 and thence wound on roll 9I about spindle 93 removably held in brackets 94 on main frame l4. One end of spindle 93 is provided with a sprocket 9B which is connected by roller chain 91 to sprocket 98 on shaft 99. The shaft of pressure roll is likewise provided with a sprocket I9I, and this is connected by roller chain I02 to a sprocket I03 on shaft 99, there being a slip clutch I04 between sprocket I03 and shaft 99. Chain I02 is held tight by take-up sprocket I06 which meshes therewith, arm IIl'I on which sprocket I06 is mounted being biased by spring I08 so as to hold chain I92 tight, but nevertheless permitting carriage 59 to be moved back and forth on its ways without interfering with the driving action of chain I92. The purpose of slip clutch I 94 will be understood when it is considered that the distance which web I9 is wound on roll 9| for one rotation of spindle 93 is considerably greater when the roll is thick than when it is thin. The purpose of the rewind mechanism is to wind web II] on roll 9| as rapidly as it is fed through the web pull mechanism.

have been printed on web It! in a previous operation on another press. It will further be assumed that each of said labels is exactly three inches in length and that there is no blank space between adjacent labels. In order to imprint a desired symbol 9c in registry with a specific spot on the label, said symbol is set in rubber type type on plate 32 which is fastened to plate cylinder 3|. Plate 32 will be three inches or less in length, but the circumference of cylinder 3| may be considerably greater than three inches, in this instance twelve inches or four times the length of label 9. After the inking mechanism has been properly set up and web Ifl threaded through the various rolls and cylinders of the press as shown in Fig. l, the operator is ready to make the various adjustments required for proper imprinting. The first adjustment involves the setting of sector 54. Assuming that the circumferential length of each sector is two and one-half inches, then for a label three inches in length, sector 54 is set so that the aggregate circumferential length of the surfaces 55 of sectors 53 and 54 is three inches-i. e. the sectors overlap two inches. With this setting of sector 54, the web should be pulled the length of one label 9 for each revolution of shaft 44, and this feeding of the web will occur when sectors 5354 are in contact with the rubber surface of roll 5|. This movement is timed to occur while plate 32 is over cylinder 22. For the remainder of the revolution of cylinder 3I, there is no movement of web I0. Thus, if the circumference of roll 3| is twelve inches, and the length of label 9 is three inches, the web will be fed one-fourth of the time and remain stationary three-fourths of the time. It will be found in practice, however, that due to slippage, stretching of the web, varying atmospheric conditions affecting the tension of the web, inertia, and other factors, a slight difference between the length of web pull and the length of labels may exist. The operator must adjust the setting of sectors 5354 to compensate for these difierences.

The next adjustment involves positioning the symbol 9c in the exact spot on label 9 which is required. This adjustment is made by moving carriage 59 horizontally, which results in shifting each label 9a on web I0 relative to the line of contact between plate 32 and cylinder 22. Theoretically the length of web between said line of contact and the line of contact between sectors 5354 and roll 5| should be a multiple of the length of a label 9 and initial adjustment should be so made. However, due to variations heretofore discussed, it may be necessary to move carriage 59 toward or away from the printing mechanism in order to register the symbol on the exact spot on label 9b which is required.

Cam 39 is adjusted so that the printing is of the desired intensity. Manipulation of knob 42 raises and lowers impression cylinder 22 and accomplishes this result. Variations in thickness of web, etc., may be compensated for in the same manner.

Cam 5'! is adjusted so that sectors 5354 properly engage the resilient surface of roll 5I.

If the cut-off mechanism is to be used, bolt 89 is loosened and knife 8I positioned the required distance from roll 5i so that labels 9 are severed exactly on the lines dividing adjacent labels.

After the machine has been in operation, it may be found that the symbol 9c is no longer in the exact spot desired. This may be due to two factors-improper initial setting of sector 54 or the occurrence of a gap in the web resulting from a shutdown in the press in which the web was originally printed, slippage, or the like.- The first irregularity is corrected by adjustment of sectors 5354. The latter is corrected by shifting carriag 59 even while the machine is in operation to relocated symbol 9c in the proper spot.

It will thus be seen that the instant invention comprises an imprinter for printing desired symbols in blank spaces provided in web stock Or for overprinting new symbols in such spaces. The machine is extremely flexible and adjustable in that labels or the like of various lengths may be imprinted without changing the diameters of the rolls over which the web passes; a simple and easily-accomplished adjustment adapts the machine to a new length of label. The adjustability is provided by intermittently advancin the web a distance equal to the length of one label or the like for each revolution of the drive shaft of the machine. The position of the symbol imprinted is also easily shiftable longitudinally of the web, even while the machine is in operation. The invention further envision a simple adjustment of the clearance between rolls, the cam which accomplishes this adjustment being so constructed that no detent or look is required to hold the roll in a position of adjustment. Finally, the invention provides for adjustability of the cut-01f mechanism and the further alternative provision of a rewind mechanism which operates only when the web is advanced.

It will be understood that whereas a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rotary imprinter for web stock, adjustable feed means for intermittently advancing said web through the machine an adjustable, fixed distance comprising, a first shaft rot/atably driven, a plurality of sectors mounted for rotation on said first shaft, said sectors having roughened arcuate surfaces, at least one of said sectors being angularly shiftable with respect to another of said sectors about the axis of rotation of said sectors, whereby the aggregate circumferential length of the arcuate surfaces of said sectors may be adjusted relative to said adjustable, fixed distance in infinitely fine gradations, a webadvancing pressure roll substantially wider than said web with which said web is in contact, said pressure roll having a resilient peripheral zone of uniform radius of curvature engageable with said arcuate surfaces and rotatable upon rotation of said sectors, said sectors being the sole means for rotating said pressure roll, said zone being remote from the area of contact of said pressure roll with said web, and means for advancin and retracting said pressure roll and said sectors relative to each other for engagement and disengagement with one another, said last-mentioned means comprising a cam shaft having its axis located parallel to a plane, the elements of which are the various positions of adjustment of the axis of the shaft of said pressure roll, and a circular cam cheek eccentric to the axis of said cam shaft and fixed thereto, said cheek being engageable with mounting means for said pressure roll to advance and retract said pressure roll.

2. An adjustable device for transmitting continuous rotary motion from a driving member into intermittent rotary motion of a driven member, and wherein the angular rotative movement of said driven member per revolution of said driving member is adjustable to any desired degree in infinitely fine gradations, said device compr1sing, first means fixed for rotation with said driving member, at least two parallel cams mounted for rotation with said first means, each of said cams having an elevated, roughened, arcuate peripheral working surface, at least one of said cams being angularly shiftable relative to the other to adjust the circumferential distance between the leading edge of the working surface of the foremost cam and the trailing edge of the working surface of the other cam to any desired length, and resiliently surfaced, cylindrical second means of uniform radius throughout its periphery fixed for rotation with said driven member against which the working surfaces of said cams are arranged to bear, the angular rotative movement of said second means per revolution of said first means being solely dependent upon and adjustable by adjustment of said circumferential distance between the leading edge of the foremost cam and the trailing edge of the working surface of the other cam.

3. In a rotary imprinter for web stock, adjustable feed means for intermittently advancing a web through the machine an adjustable, fixed distance comprising, a first shaft, means for rotatably driving said first shaft, a plurality of sectors mounted for rotation on said first shaft, at least one of said sectors being angularly shiftable with respect to another of said sectors relative to the axis of rotation of said sectors, whereby the aggregate circumferential length of the arcuate surfaces of said sectors may be adjusted relative to said adjustable, fixed distance in infinitely fine gradations, and a web-advancing pressure roll, said pressure roll being engageable with all of said sectors in a zone remote from the zone of passage of said web and intermittently rotatable thereby, said pressure roll having the same radius of curvature throughout its periphery, said pressure roll being driven solely by said sectors.

4. In a rotary imprinter for web stock, adjustable feed means for intermittently advancing a web an adjustable, fixed distance, comprising, a first shaft, means for rotatably driving said first shaft, a plurality of sectors mounted for rotation on said first shaft, said sectors having roughened arcuate surfaces, at least one of said sectors being angularly shiftable with respect to another of said sectors about the axis of rotation of said sectors, whereby the aggregate circumferential length of the arcuate surfaces of said sectors may be adjusted relative to said adjustable, fixed distance in infinitely fine gradations, and a web-advancing pressure roll, said pressure roll having a resilient peripheral zone engageable with said arcuate surfaces and rotatable upon rotation of said sectors, said zone being remote from said web, said resilient peripheral zone having the same radius of curvature throughout its periphery, said pressure roll being driven solely by said sectors.

5. Adjustable means for transmitting continuous rotary motion from a first member into intermittent rotary motion of said second member, comprising, first means fixed for rotation with said first member, second means fixed for rotation with said second member, a zone of engagement and a zone of disengagement on the periphcry of said first means, said zone of engagement being roughened and elevated above said zone of disengagement, the relative effective circumferential length of said zones of engagement and disengagement being adjustable in infinitely small gradations, a cooperating resilient peripheral zone extending around the periphery of said second means arranged to be rotated by said first means when said zone of engagement is in engagement therewith, said resilient peripheral zone being of uniform radius throughout its periphery, said first means being the sole means for rotating said second means, the relative angular movement of said second means per revolution of said first means being manually adjustable in infinitely small gradations by cor responding adjustment of the aggregate effective circumferential length of said zone of engagement engageable with said peripheral zone.

6. Means according to claim 5 in which said first means is an adjustable cam, said zone of engagement is a roughened high dwell on said cam, and said second means is a resilient-surfaced roll into whi h said zone of engagement is arranged to bite.

DIMITRI L. GORBATENKO.

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